There have been earnest suggestions to turn these parts into sprawling urban gardens.
Growing mustard, salad greens and other produce- and eventually biodiesel.
Detroit's transformation from industry to agriculture would be one of the most remarkable in our history.

Amazing and sad. I remember the last time I was up in Detroit a couple of years ago for a game at Ford Field how I saw so many deteriorating buildings downtown. I wonder what some of those older ones look like now.

I drove around the city for three days last summer. It was definitely bizarro world. Apart of the abandoned properties, it just felt empty. I mean I was on four-lane roads with no other cars or trucks within sight (this is kind of awesome to be honest). Driving there is more than a bit of risk though as many of the traffic signals and signs just aren't there or don't work anymore. Driving at night was scary as hell too because most of the street lights weren't working. It I didn't have GPS, I would have crashed or gotten lost.